Hungary's prime minister says authorities are investigating a reported plot by foreign organized crime groups to set off explosions at pre-election rallies set for Saturday and Sunday.
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany says security services of another European Union country informed Hungarian authorities of the threat, which he called an effort to destabilize the country before its April ninth parliamentary elections. He did not identify the foreign country, but news reports in Budapest mentioned Slovakia as the source of the warning.
Public opinion polls indicate that Mr. Gyurcsany's Socialist Party and the opposition Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Union enjoy about equal support among voters ahead of the balloting.
The prime minister said the police will step up security for the rallies, which are still expected to be held despite the threat.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.